MENTAL HEALTH B PROCTORED EXAM
CERTIFICATION EVALUATION TEST PAPER 2026
COMPLETE STUDY QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ The client is able to open their eyes and respond but is drowsy
and falls asleep readily. What is the level of consciousness? Answer:
Lethargic
◉ The client requires vigorous or painful stimuli (pinching a tendon
or rubbing the sternum) to elicit a brief response. They might not be
able to respond verbally. What is the level of consciousness? Answer:
Stuporous
◉ The client is unconscious and does not respond to painful stimuli.
What is the level of consciousness? Answer: Comatose
◉ How to test a client's immediate memory Answer: Ask the client
to repeat a series of numbers or a list of objects
◉ How to test a client's recent memory Answer: Ask the client to
recall recent events, such as visitors from the current day, or the
purpose of the current mental health appointment or admission
,◉ How to test a client's remote memory Answer: Ask the client to
state a fact from his past that is verifiable, such as his birth date or
his mother's maiden name
◉ How to assess a client's ability to calculate Answer: Ask the client
to count backward from 100 in sevens
◉ How to assess a client's ability to think abstractly Answer: Ask the
client to interpret something complex such as, "A bird in the hand is
worth two in the bush."
◉ Glasgow coma scale Answer: Used to obtain a baseline assessment
of a client's level of consciousness; highest score is 15 and indicates
that the client is awake and responding appropriately; a score of 7 or
less indicates that the client is in a coma
◉ Serious mental illness Answer: Includes disorders classified as
severe and persistent mental illnesses; clients often have difficulty
with ADLs; can be chronic or recurrent
◉ A charge nurse is discussing mental status exams with a newly
licensed nurse. Which of the following statements by the newly
licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching? (Select
all that apply)
,A. "To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count
backward by sevens."
B. "To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial expression."
C. "To assess language ability, I should instruct the client to write a
sentence."
D. "To assess remote memory, I should have the client repeat a list of
objects."
E. "To assess the client's abstract thinking, I should ask the client to
identify our most recent presidents." Answer: A. Counting backward
by sevens is an appropriate technique to assess a client's cognitive
ability.
B. Observing a client's facial expression is appropriate when
assessing affect.
C. Writing a sentence is an indication of language ability.
Remote language is tested by asking the client to state a fact from his
past that his verifiable (date of birth). Abstract thinking is tested by
asking the client to interpret something.
◉ A nurse is planning care for a client who has a mental health
disorder. Which of the following actions should the nurse include as
a psychobiological intervention?
, A. Assist the client with systematic desensitization therapy.
B. Teach the client appropriate coping mechanisms.
C. Assess the client for comorbid health conditions.
D. Monitor the client for adverse effects of the medications. Answer:
D. Monitoring for adverse effects of medications is an example of a
psychobiological intervention.
Systematic desensitization is cognitive and behavioral. Teaching
coping mechanisms is a counseling or health teaching. Assessing for
comorbid conditions is health promotion and maintenance.
◉ A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to
conduct an initial client interview. When conducting the interview,
which of the following actions should the nurse identify as the
priority?
A. Coordinate holistic care with social services.
B. Identify the client's perception of her mental health status.
C. Include the client's family in the interview.
D. Teach the client about her current mental health disorder.
Answer: B. Assessment is the priority action. Identifying the client's
perception of her mental health status provides important
information about the client's psychosocial history.
CERTIFICATION EVALUATION TEST PAPER 2026
COMPLETE STUDY QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ The client is able to open their eyes and respond but is drowsy
and falls asleep readily. What is the level of consciousness? Answer:
Lethargic
◉ The client requires vigorous or painful stimuli (pinching a tendon
or rubbing the sternum) to elicit a brief response. They might not be
able to respond verbally. What is the level of consciousness? Answer:
Stuporous
◉ The client is unconscious and does not respond to painful stimuli.
What is the level of consciousness? Answer: Comatose
◉ How to test a client's immediate memory Answer: Ask the client
to repeat a series of numbers or a list of objects
◉ How to test a client's recent memory Answer: Ask the client to
recall recent events, such as visitors from the current day, or the
purpose of the current mental health appointment or admission
,◉ How to test a client's remote memory Answer: Ask the client to
state a fact from his past that is verifiable, such as his birth date or
his mother's maiden name
◉ How to assess a client's ability to calculate Answer: Ask the client
to count backward from 100 in sevens
◉ How to assess a client's ability to think abstractly Answer: Ask the
client to interpret something complex such as, "A bird in the hand is
worth two in the bush."
◉ Glasgow coma scale Answer: Used to obtain a baseline assessment
of a client's level of consciousness; highest score is 15 and indicates
that the client is awake and responding appropriately; a score of 7 or
less indicates that the client is in a coma
◉ Serious mental illness Answer: Includes disorders classified as
severe and persistent mental illnesses; clients often have difficulty
with ADLs; can be chronic or recurrent
◉ A charge nurse is discussing mental status exams with a newly
licensed nurse. Which of the following statements by the newly
licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching? (Select
all that apply)
,A. "To assess cognitive ability, I should ask the client to count
backward by sevens."
B. "To assess affect, I should observe the client's facial expression."
C. "To assess language ability, I should instruct the client to write a
sentence."
D. "To assess remote memory, I should have the client repeat a list of
objects."
E. "To assess the client's abstract thinking, I should ask the client to
identify our most recent presidents." Answer: A. Counting backward
by sevens is an appropriate technique to assess a client's cognitive
ability.
B. Observing a client's facial expression is appropriate when
assessing affect.
C. Writing a sentence is an indication of language ability.
Remote language is tested by asking the client to state a fact from his
past that his verifiable (date of birth). Abstract thinking is tested by
asking the client to interpret something.
◉ A nurse is planning care for a client who has a mental health
disorder. Which of the following actions should the nurse include as
a psychobiological intervention?
, A. Assist the client with systematic desensitization therapy.
B. Teach the client appropriate coping mechanisms.
C. Assess the client for comorbid health conditions.
D. Monitor the client for adverse effects of the medications. Answer:
D. Monitoring for adverse effects of medications is an example of a
psychobiological intervention.
Systematic desensitization is cognitive and behavioral. Teaching
coping mechanisms is a counseling or health teaching. Assessing for
comorbid conditions is health promotion and maintenance.
◉ A nurse in an outpatient mental health clinic is preparing to
conduct an initial client interview. When conducting the interview,
which of the following actions should the nurse identify as the
priority?
A. Coordinate holistic care with social services.
B. Identify the client's perception of her mental health status.
C. Include the client's family in the interview.
D. Teach the client about her current mental health disorder.
Answer: B. Assessment is the priority action. Identifying the client's
perception of her mental health status provides important
information about the client's psychosocial history.
